The Algoma Enterprise loaded with salt on Feb. 22. Photo courtesy of Dale Baechler.
Bullet News GODERICH – About 174 employees at Sifto’s salt mine will be affected by a layoff notice issued Friday night, says a company spokesperson.
“Deteriorating sailing conditions are bringing Sifto’s winter boat program to an end, so the mine will begin its winter hiatus on [March] 7th,” said Peggy Landon, who is director of investor relations and corporate communications for Compass Minerals, which is parent company to Sifto Salt Corp.
“We currently expect to resume normal production in early April. The mine will use the downtime to perform maintenance work, so the number of employees affected by the hiatus is about 175,” she said, in an email response to questions from Bullet News Huron today. In a subsequent email, the number was changed to 174, including three maintenance workers.
The notices were given to miners at the end of the afternoon shift Friday, four days after the new company president, Fran Malecha, toured the mine and evaporator plant for the first time since starting his job in mid-January.
About 430 employees work at the salt mine.
2 Comments on "Boat season winds down, Sifto layoff affects 174 workers"
I do expect that those in charge of the first ship get in to the port get it right this year to have the TOP HAT.
Something smells here. I worked this previous Saturday day shift and still have been given no notice (and I am on the bottom of the totem pole). The disconnect in this company is concerning. Props to Bullet News for getting me the scoop on my job.